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Thursday, December 15, 2011

Plug-in 'Automated Learning'

Wanna learn a new task like advance calculus, fly a plane or even kung-fu...? Don't waste your time hitting the books or breaking a sweat practicing, just plug yourself in and download the knowledge... and presto! 'Automated Learning'.Sounds like a scene from the Matrix huh? Well it turns out researchers at UC Berkeley have been able to use an MRI (fMRI) machine to successfully extract dreams from inside your brain. They also discovered that the procedure can not only extract memory, but it can also 'download' specific patterns inside the brain, essentially teaching you new things. HOLY S#!T...!!

Here's how it works: you pick a task that requires high performance from your visual cortex, like catching a ball. Then, you go find someone who's a pro at catching a ball, stick them in an fMRI machine, and record what's going on in their brain while they visualize catching a ball. Now you've got your ball-catching program, and you're ready to learn. Next step: put yourself into the fMRI machine, and rig it to induce that pro ball-catching imagery that you recorded earlier inyourbrain using neurofeedback. You don't even have to be paying attention while this is going on. Your brain, though, becomes familiar with that pattern, which is what learningis: your brain becoming familiar with patterns. Play that pattern back enough, and you will get better at whatever activity the pattern is associated with.

pretty sweet huh? turns my dream of becoming a 'ninja master' is right around the corner....